Allowing "Busways" to the public during traffic jams is unfair to Transjakarta passengers
Allowing private vehicles to enter the busway to reduce traffic jams actually causes bus travel to be hampered.
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Transjakarta passengers get off at Palmerah Bus Stop, Monday (5/2/2024).
JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The rule of allowing private vehicle users to enter the special bus lane Transjakarta when there is traffic jam has its pros and cons. There are those who think this could disrupt Transjakarta travel and endanger motorcyclists. On the other hand, there are those who consider this policy to be reasonable, especially in situations of severe traffic jams.
Previously, Wednesday (24/4/2024), the X Transjakarta account responded to complaints from residents who objected to private vehicles using the special bus lane (busway) and causing traffic jams. As a result, Transjakarta buses and the passengers on them were also affected.
In its reply, Transjakarta said that it always maintains route sterilization. However, there is a discretion that allows private vehicles to enter the busway when there is traffic jam. This is one way to reduce congestion.
Transjakarta information via its X account which was uploaded on Wednesday (24/4/2024).
"Hi bro. Transjakarta always maintains route sterilization, but it is at the discretion of the relevant department if there is congestion in the area, thus allowing private vehicles to enter busway lanes as one way to reduce congestion. Thank You,". The following is the information uploaded by Transjakarta on its X account, @PT_Transjakarta.
This post also received varied reactions from the community. Many criticized it and admitted that they would switch to private vehicles if this policy continues. However, up to this point, Transjakarta, the DKI Transportation Agency, or the Jakarta Metropolitan Police Traffic Directorate have not provided any statement when confirmed.
One resident who disagrees with this policy is Chyntia Shyane (25), a resident of Kayu Manis, East Jakarta. She stated that the policy to allow private vehicles to pass through Transjakarta lanes could pose a danger to two-wheeled vehicles.
"A motorized vehicle can be trapped because Transjakarta drivers have limited visibility," said a private employee in Jakarta on Thursday (25/4/2024).
See also: Transjakarta Bus Fare Increase Plan
On the other hand, this condition will also worsen traffic congestion. There is no more space for Transjakarta buses to move. However, from the beginning, this program was made to divert the interest of citizens from private vehicles to public transportation.
"The rules that have been made should be enforced from the start, not violated," said this graduate of the Faculty of Law, Trisakti University.
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A two-wheeled vehicle driver crosses the Transjakarta bus lane at the Petamburan bus stop, Thursday (25/4/2024).
Edvin Damar (27) said a similar thing. Permitting private vehicles to pass through the Transjakarta bus lane, according to him, would make traffic jams worse. Because all vehicles will try to enter the Transjakarta route. Moreover, during busy times (peak hour). This condition may be possible, but must still be monitored by the police or related agencies.
"If it is not monitored, it will certainly add to traffic chaos," said the man who works as a lawyer every day.
Also read: Transjakarta, 20 Years of Building a Culture of Public Transportation
The sterilization of busway lanes from other vehicles has been regulated in regional regulations. In the Special Capital Region of Jakarta Provincial Regulation Number 8 of 2007 concerning Public Order, Article 2 Paragraph 7 states that two-wheeled or more motorized vehicles are prohibited from entering special bus lanes (busways).
These rules that have been made should be enforced from the start, not violated.
In addition, in Law Number 22 of 2009 concerning Road Traffic and Transportation, Article 287 Paragraph 1 states that anyone who drives a motor vehicle on the road in violation of the rules and prohibitions in traffic signs or road markings is punishable by imprisonment for a maximum of 2 months or a fine of up to Rp 500,000.
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Current Transjakarta route, Saturday (20/4/2024).
Even though the busway may not allow other vehicles to pass through, there are exceptions that allow special bus lanes to be used. Special exceptions that can use busway, namely the president, vice president, ministers, and force majeure or emergencies have received discretion.
Having a different opinion, Marina Chrismata (28) agrees with the rule of using Transjakarta bus lanes, especially during peak hours. This is because the length of Jakarta's roads does not match the number of vehicles passing through them.
He felt that when going to and from work, the traffic was so congested that traffic jams were unavoidable. In that condition, the police gave permission to enter the busway. This step is only casuistic.
"Finally the traffic jam has been resolved," said Marina, who works as a state civil servant at the Ministry of Home Affairs.
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Unfair
Executive Director of the Institute for Transportation Studies, Deddy Herlambang, said that the main aim of busway sterilization is to encourage people to switch to using public transportation from private vehicles because it is faster. However, by allowing private vehicles to enter special bus lanes to reduce traffic jams, traveling using Transjakarta will be no different from using private vehicles.
According to Deddy, if the busway is sterile it will attract people to switch to public transportation. Because the travel time using Transjakarta buses will be shorter.
"Indeed, the police have the authority or discretion to open and close busways. However, I do not agree if the busway is opened when there is heavy traffic jam. "Public transport users must take priority," he said.
Also read: Transjakarta fare increases should not burden weak communities
Deddy stated that Transjakarta passengers are different from KRL, MRT, or KRL passengers. They stand for hours during the trip without any certainty of time. In addition, bus conditions are also more cramped and crowded when full of passengers.
"When it comes to KRL, the timing can be predicted and is not much different from the estimate. Meanwhile, Transjakarta can sometimes take up to twice as long. "Opening and closing the busway for private vehicles is unfair to mass transportation users," continued Deddy.
A driver stops behind a Transjakarta bus as it passes through the busway, in Jakarta, Friday (31/1/2020).
Deddy believes that stakeholders, including the police, should support people in switching to using mass transportation.
"If you don't want to get stuck in traffic, then take public transportation. Don't make public transportation like personal vehicles by using their lanes together," said Deddy.
As for offenders who often use the Transjakarta lane for personal interests, according to Deddy, law enforcement must be carried out. One of them is through installing CCTV in the Transjakarta lane and regularly conducting ticketing.
"Despite the increase in fares, people are still trapped in traffic and have to stand throughout their journey. So, don't blame the community if they resort to using personal vehicles again," said Deddy.
Transportation observer and Chair of the Jakarta Citizens Forum (Fakta) Azas Tigor Nainggolan said that the addition of the Transjakarta bus fleet to reduce traffic jams in the capital city would be in vain if PT Transjakarta was not firm in taking action against motorized vehicles entering the busway. .
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Dozens of public transport who were determined to enter the busway tried to change lanes around the Jatinegara Regional Market on Jalan Salemba Raya, Wednesday (7/12).
Tigor believes that a sufficient fleet and a Transjakarta route that is free from private motor vehicles can improve Transjakarta's service. However, the Transjakarta lane has been crowded with other vehicles that avoid traffic on regular routes thus far.
"All Transjakarta routes need to have separators installed to prevent private motorized vehicles from entering the Transjakarta route. "Because motorized vehicles entering this busway can cause Transjakarta to become stuck in traffic jams and slow bus travel to its destination," he continued.
Tigor added that the slow travel and crowding on buses and at bus stops also make Transjakarta users uncomfortable. The concern is that this discomfort may cause them to switch to private transportation.
